doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Oval bore rifles

I'm interested in hearing if any of you own black powder express oval bore rifles, by Charles Lancaster or others. How do they shoot? Any difference in loading for them vs traditional rifling or Henry rifling? Asking as I now have two, one in 450 3.25" and a second, slightly earlier rifle, in 500/450 3.25". Both are hammer doubles with Jones under levers from the mid to late 1880s.

TIA,
Chris

Congrats Chris. I've been trying to get one but haven't been lucky in the bidding as of yet.

The oval bore Lancasters will shoot paper wrapped bullet Express cartridges loaded with black powder as well as any of the other rifling styles.
There's nothing special needs to be done.

Thank you Mike and Mike. I'll report how the 450 3 1/4" does when I get home from traveling. The 500/450 needs a little fix to a chipped buttstock damaged in transit from Europe, so that won't be immediate.

FWIW, here's a few pics from the 450BPE 3.25". Colors are rich and the engraving sharp. Unfortunately the barrels were reblacked and the their engraving is a bit soft. Might address that after I find out how it shoots.

Chris,

Nice rifles. Hopefully, you bring them out next time to shoot!

Ken

Lancaster built spectacular guns and rifles, that one sure is great looking!

Steve;

You are very correct. And so did his brother Alfred Lancaster.
Look at this spectacular hammer gun by Charles Lancaster up for auction at Holts, maybe it should be termed spectacular deluxe....

https://www.holtsauctioneers.com/as...++1815+&refno=++232790&saletype=

Then look at this super rare Lancaster bolt action .280 rimless oval bore rifle.

https://www.holtsauctioneers.com/as...++1107+&refno=++231258&saletype=

Steve,
I have had two really nice Lancaster percussion rifles. The shotgun that you linked to is quite nice. Hard to beat a Lancaster. Many folks don't know it but Lancaster guns and rifles were more costly than a Purdey in Victorian times.

Steve

Steve;

I have coming today (it is on the Fed Ex truck as I write this) Alfred Lancaster 12 bore hammergun no 1 of a pair from 1873 30 inch damascus barrels (English made) formerly the property of William Douglas the Duke of Hamilton. Still has the Duke of Hamilton family crest in gold in the butt stock. Snap underlever made on the Emme and Woodward action design. I am satisfied that the action was built by Emme for Alfred Lancaster.

As you inferred both Charles Lancaster, jr and his brother Alfred Lancaster were the London gunmaking favorites of the British nobility during the 1870's. As a matter of fact the Duke of Hamilton gave to the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) a pair of Alfred 20 hammerguns built for the Duke a year or so after he had the 12 bores built of which one of I will soon be viewing. The 20 bore Alfred Lancaster hammerguns remain in the Royal gun collection at Sandringham.

Stephen Howell

One time I was in the Westley Richards shop in London and was offered a Lancaster oval bore double in 280 Ross that had been made for a minor Maharajah. Unfortunately, they wanted $800 for it.